Student Success Faculty
Dr. Fiona Chrystall (2001)
Director of Academic Advising
Director of First Year Program
Dr Fiona Chrystall holds a BSc (Hons) in Conservation Management and a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Stirling in Scotland. In 2001 she took a trip across the Atlantic to participate in the Kellogg Institute of the National Center for Developmental Education at Appalachian State University. In January, 2002, Dr Chrystall joined Lees-McRae College as the Director of Teaching and Learning. Now in her tenth year at the college, she is Chair of the Division of Student Success and Associate Professor in Environmental Science. Her work in the Division of Student Success includes overseeing academic advising, coordinating the First Year Seminar program, helping students in academic difficulty, and teaching Learning Lab. In addition, she teaches for the Division of Science and Math and the Honors program. In her spare time, Chrystall combines her love of teaching with her love of horses and is a PATH Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She is currently owned by 11 cats, 2 dogs (regular companions on campus), and a horse.
Ms. Laura Padgett (2000)
Burton Center Director
Coordinator of Developmental Reading
B.S., Lees-McRae College
M.A., Appalachian State University
Certified Development Education Specialist, The Kellogg Institute, National Center for Developmental Education, Appalachian State University
Laura Padgett came to Lees-McRae in 1999 as an adjunct instructor for College Reading and Expository Writing in the Student Success and Internship Center (SSIC). As an alumna, class of 1995, of Lees-McRae College, she hoped to give back to the college that had first inspired her to become an educator. Over the years she has helped to guide the services and programs offered by what is now the Burton Center for Student Success. Aptly named for the late Mr. Sam Burton, the founder and first director of the SSIC, the Burton Center is now under the directorship of Padgett who developed and has taught in the Academic Success program, coordinates and teaches the College Reading courses, and directs the peer tutoring program and services. Padgett also serves as the advisor for S.O.A.R., Students of All Races, and teaches First Year Seminar each year. Padgett lives in Linville with her husband, Donald, and two children, Madison and Coston. Her interests include parenting, reading, boating/sailing, character education, class films, community outreach and creative movement youth ministry.
Ms. Lizette Thompson (2001)
Coordinator of Developmental Mathematics
B.S., Florida Atlantic University
M.A., Appalachian State University
Certified Development Education Specialist, The Kellogg Institute, National Center for Developmental Education, Appalachian State University
Lizette Thompson began at Lees-McRae College in August of 2001. She is a certified Developmental Education Specialist who earned her M.A. in Higher Education, with Mathematics concentration from Appalachian State University. Ms. Thompson has been teaching mathematics at the College level since 1993; and, as Coordinator of the Foundations Math Program, is committed to helping all students be successful in college mathematics. Originally from Cuba, she resides in Banner Elk, North Carolina with her family.
Ms. Lella Shaffner (2007)
Coordinator of Developmental Writing
B.S., Lees-McRae College
M.A., Appalachian State University
Ed.S, Appalachian State University
Certified Development Education Specialist, The Kellogg Institute, National Center for Developmental Education, Appalachian State University
My name is Lella, pronounced like “Stella,” Shaffner, and I was born and raised for the greater part of my life in Banner Elk. I am also an alumna of Lees-McRae College and Appalachian State University. I teach writing, but hope to teach technology as well at some point in life. I love video games and enjoy messing around with programs like Photoshop. Sometimes I can be found building websites. The opposite side of me loves to play with animals and plants. I like orchids, both native to our mountains, and exotic ones. I breed Betta fish and have a host of animals, including but not limited to twelve felines, two parrots, a three-feet-long iguana, painted turtles, a flock of chickens, and now I’m even involved in my sister’s bee keeping expeditions! In my scholarly life I like to research the way video games can be used in education, and I know most students have got to like that.
Ms. Faith Shaffner (2011)
Coordinator of Disablity Services
B.A., Lees-McRae College
M.A., Appalachian State University
shaffnerf@lmc.edu
I’m Faith, and like my (only slightly) older sister Lella, I’ve lived here in Banner Elk for years. I am an alumna of Lees-McRae College and Appalachian State University. I specialize in working to utilize various forms of technology (including old-school styles, like writing) to help people find their learning style and help learning move into the next century! I also have a vested interest in helping students, who have traditionally been served poorly by education’s traditions, excel in the classroom, and that includes working one-on-one with students in the Office of Disability Services. My sister and I have always played video games together, and our expeditions in video games together have taught us to share and enjoy many of the same things: from the natural world of plants and animals to the scholarly life of reading, writing, and producing works of literature, both electronic and traditional.